Barranquilla’s 2012 Carnival, one of Colombia’s most important events of the year, takes place from Saturday through Tuesday. This schedule should make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Rivaled only by Brazil’s Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Barranquilla’s is one of the largest, most festive and colorful carnivals in the world.
Although the date of the first Barranquilla Carnival is lost in history, it has been going on for more than a hundred years. The cultural event has roots in Spanish and Portuguese Catholic tradition but has incorporated aspects of African and indigenous culture as well. The Barranquilla Carnival’s music, dance, color, and costumes represent and express the ethnic fusion that characterizes Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It is a joyful and culturally significant event that has been recognized by UNESCO as a true expression of the heritage of humanity.
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Saturday February 18
During Carnival the city of Barranquilla is overrun with people from all over who come to witness and participate in Carnival’s non-stop festivities which include parades, concerts, and dances. It is expected that more than a million-and-a-half people will attend this year’s Carnival which kicks off on Saturday February 18 with the “Battle of the Flowers,” a traditional parade that has been a hallmark of Barranquilla’s Carnival since 1903. The “Battle of the Flowers” is a procession of flower-adorned floats, bands, dance troops and costumed groups.
Also beginning on Saturday at 4PM and running through Tuesday February 21 is the Comedy Festival.
Sunday February 19
Sunday’s Grand Parade starts at 1PM at Via 40. The Grand Parade is a traditional event that tells the story of the region with dances, music, costumes, and more.
At 7PM at the Romelio Martinez Stadium is the Coronation of the Queen of Queens, the queen of Barranquilla’s 2012 Carnival is Andrea Jaramillo.
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Monday February 20
At 1 PM on Monday February 20 is the Dancing Parade which starts at Via 40. This parade consists of several dance groups that showcase local dances including cumbia, garabato, and the torito folk dance in which a group pantomimes a bullfight.
At 3PM in the Estadio Romelio Martinez the Festival of Orchestras will begin. It lasts until early Tuesday afternoon. A variety of musicians and dance troupes will pay tribute to the late salsa legend Joe Arroyo, whose narrated story symbolizes the wildness of the Carnival, his death representing the transition into Lent, the Catholic 40-day period of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter.
Tuesday February 21
Carnival comes to an end on Tuesday in the Plaza de la Paz with three events that symbolize Arroyo’s funeral. The funeral proceedings begin at 1PM with the Festival of Special Dances, followed by the Prayer Meeting at 5PM and an event called “Joe goes with the Ashes.”
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